Airworthiness Directive · Amendment 39-22603 · Fuselage structure
Airbus Helicopters
This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2023-0028, dated February 1, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0028).
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2022-01- 05, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters. AD 2022-01-05 required repetitive visual inspections of the rivets on the rear transmission shaft bearing support, inspections of the local structure, and rivet heads on the left-hand and right-hand sides of the rear transmission shaft bearing support for cracking, missing, loose, or sheared rivets. AD 2022-01-05 also required reporting the results of those inspections and depending on the results, applicable corrective action. Since the FAA issued AD 2022-01- 05, Airbus Helicopters revised its service information to add procedures to improve visual inspections of the rivets on the rear transmission shaft bearing support. This AD was prompted by the determination that certain modified helicopters may have finishing paint applied to the gutter, which could prevent detection of cracks during inspections. This AD also extends the repetitive compliance time interval for certain inspections. This AD continues to require certain actions in AD 2022-01-05 and requires a one-time visual inspection for paint in the gutter area, and removal of paint if necessary, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2023-0028.
(1) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 defines “the ASB” as “AH Emergency Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) EC130-05A039 Revision 3;” for this AD, replace that definition with “Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC130-05A039, Revision 4, dated March 15, 2023.”
(2) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 refers to November 1, 2021 (the effective date of EASA Emergency AD 2021-0235-E, dated October 28, 2021), this AD requires using December 9, 2021 (the effective date of AD 2021-24-06, Amendment 39-21827 (86 FR 66934, November 24, 2021).
(3) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 refers to December 21, 2021 (the effective date of EASA AD 2021-0283-E, dated December 17, 2021), this AD requires using January 14, 2022 (the effective date of AD 2022-01-05).
(4) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD.
(5) Where EASA AD 2023-0028 requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service.
(6) Where the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0028 specifies that certain inspections can be done by a mechanical technician, a pilot with correct training and accreditation, or a pilot-owner, this AD requires that those inspections be accomplished by persons authorized under 14 CFR 43.3.
(7) Where paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0028 specify contacting Airbus Helicopters to obtain approved repair instructions and accomplishing those instructions within the compliance time(s) specified therein, this AD requires, before further flight, repair done in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(8) Where paragraph (8) of EASA AD 2023-0028 requires reporting inspection results to Airbus Helicopters within 30 days after each rivet replacement, this AD requires reporting inspection results at the applicable time in paragraph (h)(8)(i) or (ii) of this AD.
(i) If the inspection was done on or after the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after each rivet replacement.
(ii) If the inspection was done before the effective date of this AD: Submit the report within 10 days after the effective date of this AD.
(9) Instead of the credit allowed in paragraph (9) of EASA AD 2023-0028, you may take credit for the following; “Inspection(s) and corrective action(s) required by paragraphs (1), (2), and (6) of EASA AD 2023-0028 that have been accomplished before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC130-05A039 original issue, dated October 27, 2021; Revision 1, dated December 16, 2021; Revision 2, dated February 9, 2022; or Revision 3, dated January 30, 2023.”
(10) This AD does not adopt the “Remarks” section of EASA AD 2023-0028.
